3D Hubs Printer Map
At just over a year old 3D Hubs has made huge progress in its mission to make 3D printing available to the masses. As the world’s largest and fastest growing network of 3D printers, the young company has now received some serious funding with a $4.5 million Series-A financing round led by Balderton Capital.
In august 2013, 3D Hubs set out with a simple idea to digitise the manufacturing of products bringing us closer to a future where products will be produced on demand and locally. With a current network of over 7,000 printers, 3D Hubs gives one billion people access to a 3D printer within 10 miles of their home.
3D Hubs hopes this funding will propel the world into the next industrial revolution by accelerating the number of products manufactured in local communities and abandoning the ‘one-size-fits-all philiosophy’.
"3DHubs are building a marketplace that we believe will have a radical impact on the way production and manufacturing is done in the near future," said Mark Evans, partner at Balderton Capital who will join the 3D Hubs company board. "The team have proven that 3D printing is moving beyond the garages of enthusiasts and is now a tool available to mass consumers, and they've done this by working with and enabling the growing community of printers, creating a truly collaborative platform for creating new products."
3D Hubs is leveraging the new funds to build on its initial success with further global growth. A 3D Hubs API will be released to unlock its 3D printer network to other leading consumer companies that use 3D printing.
For now the first step is to expand the company’s offices in both New York and Amsterdam from 20 to over 30 people.
3D Hubs is set to host its first UK Maker Meetup at this year’s TCT Show. The team will host one of its renowned community gatherings on the show floor bringing hobbyists and businesses together.
Bram de Zwart, 3D Hubs CEO and co-founder, stated: "TCT Show for us is one of the most exciting shows to be at. It is a great opportunity to catch up on the latest in 3D printing and hang out with the 3D Hubs community.”